List of minor DC Comics characters

It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. (August 2014)

Throughout its history, DC Comics has introduced many characters, including numerous minor characters. These characters range from supporting characters, heroes and villains that appear infrequently, to characters that only take part in a single story.

Contents

Within the context of the stories, William Kavanaugh was given the ability to transform into a pterodactyl/man hybrid by a weapons company Meta/Tech and took the name Airstryke. Count Viper took advantage of these new abilities and used Airstryke to distract Hawkman while Viper tried to take command of the Justice League and thus the world. Airstryke and Viper were soon defeated and Airstryke was sent to Belle Reve Prison. He remained here until he was freed by Neron and was given the chance to sell his soul along with numerous other villains. Airstryke chose not to sell his soul and continued his life of crime. Eventually, Airstryke was returned to prison where he became a victim of Joker's Joker gas. Again, he was defeated and returned to prison. This time he was sent to the Slab. During his stay, Brother Blood attempted to break all the villains out of the prison so they could assist him on his mission. Airstryke was the first to question Blood on his plan. Brother Blood then shot and killed Airstryke for his hubris.

In Flashpoint the story focused an altered time line of the DC Universe. Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint was published as a supplementary title looking at the vaster setting of the primary series. The character was reworked as a member of the H.I.V.E. council, a group of world leaders tying to deal with the war in Europe between Aquaman and Wonder Woman.

Within the context of the stories, three distinct versions of Alura have been presented but in each case she is the mother of Superman's cousin. The character as first introduced survives the destruction of Krypton along with her husband, Zor-El, and the rest of Argo City. Years later, when a second catastrophe threatens to destroy Argo City, she and her husband send their daughter, born long after the destruction of Krypton, to Earth.[Superman 1] Later stories reveal that Alura and Zor-El had escaped the destruction of Argo city in a "survival zone" to be reunited with their grown daughter.[volume & issue needed]

When the Kara Zor-El version of Supergirl was re-introduced in "The Supergirl from Krypton" in 2004,[Comics 2] Alura was also re-introduced. In this version Alura and Zor-El send their daughter to Earth during the destruction of Krypton, intending her to help raise her infant cousin. Alura also saves Argo City by constructing a protective dome around it. When Brainiac returns to Krypton to survey his destruction of the planet, he merges Argo City with the previously shrunken Kandor. The character would play a prominent role in the story arc "New Krypton" and the follow up limited series and arcs Superman: World of New Krypton, "Last Stand of New Krypton", and Superman: War of the Supermen.

Within the context of the stories, Amazing Grace is a New God of Apokolips and sister of Glorious Godfrey. She acts on behalf of Darkseid among the lowlies of Apokolips, continually instigating opposition and revolt which is quickly defeated, keeping their spirits broken. In her initial appearance, she seduced Superman into serving Darkseid and Apokolips, but was ultimately defeated in this effort.[2]

Within the context of the stories, Fenton Quigley is a wealthy big game hunter who, after an argument with his father, is cut off from the family fortune. To maintain his lifestyle, he turns to crime using his skill with the bow and calling himself the Archer. He robs the wealthy by threatening to kill them at bow-point. He is defeated by Superman, arrested, convicted, and jailed.[Superman 2]

During the Forever Evil storyline as part of The New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), some of the Rogues landed in Metropolis where they encounter someone in a red hoodie called Archer. The Rogues managed to knock him out.[4]

Within the context of the stories, Arrakhat is an evil djinn from the O'salla Ben Duuram, or "Oasis of the Damned" one of the descending circles in Hell. Instead of granting three wishes to the invoker, the demon offers three murders and upon completion returns to the so-called "Well of Flames". Arghulian was an enemy of Tim Drake's classmate Ali Ben Kahn who was the prince of Dhubar. Arghulian then summoned Arrakhat to kill the prince. Arrakhat was stopped by Robin, Connor Hawke and Eddie Fyres.[7] Arrakhat resurfaced again as part of Tapeworm's ambush against the Justice Society of America. He was expelled from our dimension by Doctor Fate (Kent V. Nelson).[8]

Within the context of the stories, Atlan is a member of the Homo magi off shoot of humanity born in ancient Atlantis. While within the linage of the Atlantian royal house, his spirit interact with the past generation to father Aquaman, Ocean Master, and Deep Blue.[10] He also acts as a mentor in magic to Aqualad.

In The New 52, the 2011 relaunch and retcon of DC Comics' entire series, Atlan's origins are once again revised. He is now known as Atlan the Greatest King of Atlantis. He was the first king of the nation of Atlantis until he was betrayed by his brother Orin and by his people. They killed his wife and children and he and his loyalists were all hunted down. Within that time he forged the Six Artifacts of Atlantis with his Arcane knowledge and became to be known as the Dead King. He returned years later and without uttering a single word killed his brother and his queen and as Atlantis was plunged into a civil war he finally spoke after years of silence, "Let it all...die" and using his great strength sunk the great nation he had spent his lifetime building.

Years later, he was awakened in Antarctica, when Aquaman used his telepathy on a global scale, and claiming that Aquaman is mistaken to think he is the king of Atlantis, proceeded to destroy a research station and killed its personnel. After that he found Mera and took her to Xebel. Aquaman travelled to Xebel to free Mera but was shocked to hear that his ancestors murdered the Dead King's family and usurped the throne. After a brutal fight (during which the Dead King manages to claim Aquaman's Trident) Aquaman freed Mera and the rest of the Xebelians but they sided with the Dead King recognizing him as the true ruler of Atlantis, except for Mera. They managed to escape to Atlantis but found it being attacked by the Scavenger's Fleet. During the battle the Dead King and the Xebelians arrive and he manages to cause Aquaman to black out, using his Sceptre and Aquaman's Trident. After being in a coma for six months and soon discovering the Dead King's origins with the help of Vulko, Aquaman returned to liberate Atlantis from the Dead King and the Xebelians, using the Dead King's relic scepter and the Trench. When the Dead King grabs the relic scepter and strikes at Aquaman, Vulko tries to prevent the Dead King from killing him, saying that Aquaman is the rightful king of Atlantis, causing the Dead King to be so angry, he attempts to destroy all of Atlantis, but Aquaman stopped and destroyed the Dead King along with the relic scepter. The battle was over, when Aquaman reclaims the throne once again.

Atlanna is the mother of Aquaman in the Silver Age and post-Crisis. In post-Crisis continuity, Atlanna was retconned as the Queen of Atlantis. After a dream-affair with Atlan, Atlanna become pregnant with a baby. She passed away in prison from illness. Afterwards she was resurrected as a mermaid by Charybdis.

The character, created by Jack Schiff and Bill Finger, first appeared in Batman #108 in June 1957.

Within the context of the stories, his parents were rescued by Batman shortly before Jones was born, and they named him "Batman" as thanks. The boy grew up idolizing Batman and tried to become a crime fighter before taking up stamp collecting.[12] As an adult, he is an expert on Batman.[13]

Within the context of the stories, Bison-Black-as-Midnight-Sky is the great-grandfather of John Ravenhair and the last great shaman of the Bison Cult. He resents his great-grandson's disrespect for their traditions. When he is killed by muggers in Central Park, he binds his spirit to a magical amulet.[Firestorm 1] The amulet allows his spirit to influence or control his great-grandson when worn.

Within the context of the stories, John Ravenhair is a Native American born Black-Cloud-in-Morning and raised in Queens, New York. When his great-grandfather Bison-Black-as-Midnight-Sky is killed in a mugging, he becomes influenced and possessed by his ancestor's spirit. This leads him to set about avenging the wrongs committed against the Native American people.[Firestorm 1] When removed from the angry spirit, he occasionally acts for good, but is frequently a threat to Firestorm.[15]

During the Forever Evil storyline as part of The New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), Black Bison appears as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains. He alongside Hyena, Multiplex, Plastique, and Typhoon are sent by the Crime Syndicate to finish Gorilla Grodd's work. The villains end up defeated by the Rogues since one of their targets is the hospital where Captain Cold's sister is.[16]

Blackout (Farooq) is a metahuman who can harness electricity. He makes his first appearance in Flashpoint vol. 2, issue #1 (July 2011). In the alternate timeline created by the events of Flashpoint, Blackout is recruited by Cyborg into a team of superheroes whose mission was to end the Amazon-Atlantean war, which had devastated Europe and caused millions of human casualties. To that end, the team was assigned to take down both Emperor Aquaman and Wonder Woman.

Another new recruit, the Outsider (Michael Desai), revealed during a meeting with Batman that he had been hunting Blackout so he could use his abilities to power India. This manhunt resulted in the loss of Blackout's girlfriend and his departure from school. Blackout has since voiced his reluctance to be part of the same team with his worst enemy.

Blackrock was the creation of Dr. Peter Silverstone in an attempt to increase ratings for the United Broadcasting television network. Silverstone hypnotized UB President Sam Tanner and later Tanner's nephew, Les Vegas, to fill the role. A third Blackrock (an energy construct) was created by Tanner's command not much later.

However, it is known that eventually Silverstone assumed the mantle of Blackrock himself, using a powerful stone that could metabolize electromagnetic energy into energy to achieve flight, energy blasts and superhuman strength, and fought Superman several times. This rock, while a technological artifact, has the appearance of a polished gem that is black as coal. It was appropriately dubbed the "Blackrock".

The post-Crisis version was stated (in Batman/Superman adventures) to be a symbiotic alien life form, rather than a creation of Dr. Silverstone. Its appearance and abilities are approximately the same.

Silverstone is the only Pre-Crisis user of the stone that has been mentioned in Post-Crisis continuity. Overuse of the Blackrock's powers blinded Silverstone and left him insane. He was found sitting muttering to himself and watching constant television in an apartment by an ex-convict named Sam Benjamin, who beat Silverstone to death with the Blackrock and took it for himself. Despite its power, his inexperience with the Blackrock led to his defeat, and Superman took the stone and threw it towards the Sun.[17]

A short time later, Alexander Luthor, Jr., disguised as Lex Luthor, dispatched Bizarro to retrieve the Blackrock from the Sun[18] before passing it on to a South American woman named Lucia,[19] a drug smuggler and revolutionary who had been jailed by Superman before. Her intense feelings of hatred towards the Man of Steel matched those of the Blackrock, and she proved particularly adept in using it. However, her skills were not enough to defeat Superman, and the Blackrock withdrew into itself.[20]

It was eventually shown that the Blackrock had been kept by Superman who eventually locked it away in his Fortress of Solitude. The Blackrock eventually escaped and bonded with Plastic Man. Shortly after the Blackrock was removed from Plastic Man, and found its way into the hands of Batman, who shortly afterwards decided he needed its powers to help him stop a currently-rampaging Superman (Superman had fallen under the influence of Despero as he attempted to turn Earth's alien heroes against humans). Although it remained on Batman after Superman threw off Despero's influence, Superman was able to force it to leave Batman by threatening to kill him, informing the Blackrock that he knew Batman would rather die than live like this.

The post-Crisis wielders of the Blackrock seem to have developed differing powers based on their personality. All seem to have possessed superhuman strength and endurance, flight and energy projection abilities. The Blackrock also has the ability to absorb ambient energy to empower its wielder. Dr. Silverstone seemed most adept at using its ability to process information from TV and radio signals. Samuel Benjamin was particularly skilled at using it to boost his own physical strength and toughness. Lucia's abilities seemed to be an amalgamation of her predecessors', but she seemed to prefer using its energy projection abilities and discovered a way to use it to drain Superman's power.

While the stone had bonded to Plastic Man, he was not shown using its abilities much.

Batman used it in much the same way that Lucia did; however, Batman showed more of a preference for physical combat than Lucia did.

Jimmy Olsen and several other humans were bonded to Blackrocks when a shower of them rained down on Earth. These people showed some level of superhuman abilities similar to those demonstrated by Lucia, etc. but it was not shown if they were as strong.

Within the context of the stories, Vera Black is the sister of Manchester Black. As children their parents would often fight and Manchester would take her out to play to avoid them. As his idea of "play" became killing sprees, Vera's perspective twisted.[volume & issue needed] When her brother dies after attempting to destroy Superman, she has her ruined arms, lost in an untold childhood incident, replaced with cybernetic prostheses which can configure into any weapon she desires and embarks on a mission to get revenge on Superman as Sister Superior.[volume & issue needed]

Vera's cybernetic arms have the capacity to transform into an almost unlimited variety of melee, projectile, and beam weapons. They also incorporate camouflage technology relying on optics as well as altering sense perception in others.

Within the context of the stories, Bolphunga the Unrelenting has a love of destruction and plots to make a name for himself by challenging the most feared and mysterious beings in creation, fixating on Green Lanterns. This has led to his defeat by Mogo,[GL 1]Kilowog,[GL 2] and Guy Gardner.[GL 3]

Within the context of the stories, Brimstone is initially created by Darkseid as a part of his plot to turn the population of Earth against their superheroes.[Comics 3] He does this by implanting a nuclear reactor with a "techno-seed" which modifies it to create the several story tall Brimstone. It is speculated by the heroes that that it is composed of superheated plasma.[Firestorm 2] Its initial rampage is ended by the Suicide Squad when Deadshot shoots out the creature's "heart".[Comics 4]

A handful of stories published much later have used Brimstone, though without fully explaining how the construct was recreated.

The character was adapted for use in the direct to DVD animated film Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. An alternate version of the character, presented as a nuclear-powered robot built by a foreign power, appeared in the pilot episode "Initiation" of the series Justice League Unlimited.

In Pre-Crisis comics, Carl Draper grew up in Smallville (see Kator below). He was in love with Lana Lang, who had eyes only for Superboy, much to Draper's resentment. As an adult, Draper became an expert locksmith and architect, designing an inescapable prison for super-villains. Impressed by the achievement, Superman augmented the prison's security by placing it on an antigravity platform. Initially dubbed "Draper's Island," it was informally renamed "Superman Island" by the adult Lana – with whom Draper remained smitten, just as she remained lovestruck by Superman – and it was the latter name, plus the novelty of the floating platform, that caught public attention, diverting recognition from Draper himself. This proved the final straw for Draper, who snapped and became the costumed super-villain Master Jailer. He attacked Superman and kidnapped Lana under the name the Master Jailer. Superman defeated him, and he was sent to his own prison.

In New Adventures of Superboy #17 (May 1981), at the prodding of Carl "Moosie" Draper, Superboy creates a robot named Kator as a sparring adversary (and gives the "safety cutoff switch" to Jonathan Kent). Kator, however, developed an artificial intelligence, and almost killed the Boy of Steel before being destroyed (in the New Adventures of Superboy #18). However, the robot apparently gave Draper its identity and powers before being destroyed. Draper (the new Kator) then engages Superboy in combat. However, Jonathan Kent presses the safety switch on the "cutoff" device, which removes "Kator's" super-powers from Draper, and Superboy removes the memory of Draper ever being Kator.[25][26]

In Post-Crisis comics, Carl Draper first appeared in Adventures of Superman #517 (Nov 1994). This was during the Dead Again storyline, when Superman was suspected of being an imposter after his body was found still in his tomb (from The Death of Superman). Draper was hired by S.T.A.R. Labs to design a holding cell for Conduit, when his daughter, Carla, asked him if he could build a prison that could hold Superman. Draper initially designed a trap that only the real Superman could escape from, explaining this to Superman by way of a hologram of a costumed figure named Deathtrap. However, when Superman escaped the trap, Draper became obsessed with proving he could capture the real thing.

Draper made several other attempts to capture Superman, often programming the Deathtrap hologram in advance so he could be publicly elsewhere. On one occasion, in Superman: The Man of Steel #43 (Apr 1995), he programmed Deathtrap to appear during a Draper Security press conference, and display how Draper's devices were being "subverted", this both removing suspicion and acting as an advertisement.

Carla Draper made an appearance in Superboy #26 (May 1996), under the name Snare. She responded to a request from the Hawaiian Special Crimes Unit to Draper Security for assistance in capturing the supervillain Knockout, who was on the run with a misguided Superboy in tow. Snare, aware of her father's obsession, tried to prove she could do something he could not by capturing Superboy. This led to a fight with the SCU, during which Superboy and Knockout escaped.

In Action Comics #739, Superman (in his blue energy form) was captured in an "energy hobble" by Deathtrap, now calling himself Locksmith. At the end of the story, it was revealed to the reader that Carla Draper was running the hologram this time, and her father was unaware of this.

The Master Jailer was one of the villains controlled by Manchester Black in the 2002 storyline "Ending Battle".

Carl Draper has recently appeared in Checkmate #17 (Oct. 2007). At some point, Checkmate discovered his multiple identities, and used this to force him into becoming a security consultant, protecting Checkmate itself from attack. In the issue, he prevents numerous assaults on Checkmate headquarters and is promoted to head of security, with the title Castellan. Although he has not told his superiors, he strongly suspects Carla is involved in the attacks. The issue also contains an easter egg – computer displays mention a website, http://www.gideonii.com/ (which is now inactive), a real site that can be accessed with the username "CARL DRAPER" and password "wilhelmina". The site is written from Draper's perspective as a combination journal/database. In his journal he claims to have only ever been Deathtrap and that he is unconnected with the Post-Crisis Master Jailer.

Within the context of the stories, Michelle Carter is the twin sister of Michael Carter. She follows her brother from the 25th century back to the later 20th. She decides to explore the era and "borrows" the Goldstar costume.[Booster 1] During this exploration she acts like and dies as a super hero.[volume & issue needed]

Years later, subjectively, Rip Hunter rescues her by pulling her to the present from just before she was to die. This removed her "death" from the timeline.[Booster 2] From her perspective she was rescued in the nick of time and it is not until some time later that she learns that she had originally died. The revelation of this by Rex Hunter traumatizes her and leaves her obsessing on the belief that she is now a "glitch" in the timeline.[Booster 3] Resenting Rip and Booster for having hidden her "real fate", she disables Skeets and disappears into the timestream.[Booster 4]

She resurfaces in Coast City just prior to its destruction by Mongul.[Booster 5] Booster is able to get her out of Coast City, but it costs her a newfound boyfriend.[Booster 6] This results in her contemplating going back to the 25th century. When she informs Booster, he is able to convince her to remain with him and Rip.[Booster 7]

Within the context of the stories, Cerdian is the son of Tempest and Dolphin. He is not seen after Infinite Crisis and is confirmed to have died during that event in Titans vol 2, #15 (September 2009).

Within the context of the stories, Charybdis and his wife, Scylla, are international terrorists who attempt to kill Aquaman.[volume & issue needed] When Scylla is killed, Charybdis is driven mad by grief. He uses his ability to suppress metahuman abilities in others to defeat Aquaman and attempts to absorb Aquaman's powers to himself. Partially successful, he is unable to control his new ability to communicate with fish and falls into a pool of piranha. Instead of being devoured, he melds with the fish, taking on many of their traits where he becomes Piranha Man.[volume & issue needed]

Within the context of the stories, Christina Chiles had been working on a cyber battle suit modeled after a cat and decided to test it against Catwoman, who had broken into the lab in which Christina worked. Despite the powers the suit gave her, Christina (now Cyber-Cat) was beaten by Catwoman. Infuriated at her loss, Cyber-Cat began a personal vendetta against Catwoman. As Catwoman managed to elude her Cyber-Cat became more and more fixated on tracking her down. Another confrontation with Catwoman resulted in failure because of the help of Catwoman's rival She-Cat.

Cyber-Cat made one final attempt on Catwoman's life but Catwoman had received her own suit of armor which gave her powers on par with Cyber-Cat's and finally destroyed the armor. Christina was taken into custody by the agency she worked for because of her unauthorized use of its technology.

Within the context of the stories, Chester Runk is a physicist, engineer, and child prodigy. At age 24 he invents a primitive long range teleportation device. Due to a lack of safety procedures, the device implodes and merges with him. This imparts him with super human strength and durability, as well as the ability to teleport anywhere. In order to keep the machine from "eating" him, he is forced to absorb 47 times his own mass in super-dense matter.[Flash 1][31]

He first encounters the Flash while he is stealing diamonds to "feed" the machine.[Flash 1] During the confrontation, he sends the Flash to the "void", a rocky prehistoric wasteland where he has sent others who have crossed him. The Flash convinces him that he needs to return the people he has imprisoned to Earth.[Flash 2]

Over time Chunk becomes one of Wally West's friends and develops a degree of control over his abilities. He eventually opens a waste removal business believing "everyone has something they’d like to disappear".[volume & issue needed]

Because of the machine that he absorbed, Chunk has the ability to transfer matter to and from the "void", super human strength, limited invulnerability, and the ability to manipulate local gravimetric fields.

Within the context of the stories, Nathan Jones, using the name Coldcast, is a member of the Elite. He is recruited into the team by Manchester Black prior to the team encountering Superman in Libya[Superman 3] After Superman defeats the team and Black's apparent suicide, Coldcast is recruited by Vera Black for a team that eventually becomes the Justice League Elite.[volume & issue needed]

Within the context of the stories, Trixie Collins is hired by Booster Gold to be his personal assistant after he arrives in the 20th century.[Booster 8] When an anti-super hero mob threatens a weakened Booster's life, she reluctantly puts on the Goldstar costume that had been developed to give Booster a female sidekick.[Booster 9] After rescuing Booster, she accompanies him back to the 25th century to save his life and re-power his costume. On their return to the 20th century, she gladly returns the Goldstar suit preferring her role as a personal assistant over that of super hero.[Booster 10]

Within the context of the stories, Harriet Cooper is Dick Grayson's maternal aunt who comes to live at Wayne Manor after the death of Alfred Pennyworth. She involves herself in both Grayson's and Bruce Wayne's daily lives and on occasion comes close to uncovering the secret identities. When Alfred returns from the dead, she remains at Wayne manor at his insistence.[Batman 2] Over time health problems reduces her activities and cause her to eventually leave Gotham City.

Despite the longstanding misconception of having been created specifically for the television series Batman, the character had actually been used in the comics for two years and was adapted for television where she was portrayed by Madge Blake. Some details from the television series (her last name, her status as a widow) were added to the comic stories in Detective Comics #373 (March 1968). In the recent "The New 52" DC Comics series Batman '66, Aunt Harriet has become a recurring character.

Within the context of the stories, Debbie Perkins is the daughter of Tsunami and grew up believing Neptune Perkins to be her father while Rhombus believed her to be his daughter. As Deep Blue, she is among the heroes who respond Aquaman's call to unite the undersea kingdoms.[volume & issue needed] Over time she begins to insist on being called Indigo and learns that Atlan claims to be her true father.[volume & issue needed]

Within the context of the stories, Bart Magan attempts to remove a facial scar using an experimental device. When the device instead erases all his facial features he takes the name "Doctor No-Face" and starts a short lived crime spree in Gotham City.[Batman 3]

Originally, Dominus was an alien priest named Tuoni, who served as one of the five custodians of his world's faith. During this time, he fell in love with his peer, Ahti. However, he was driven mad by jealousy when Ahti ascended past him and assumed the mantle of Kismet, Illuminator of All Realities.[38]

Studying infernal forbidden magic in an attempt to gain the power to challenge his former lover and rob her of the power of Kismet, Tuoni's assault was reflected by Kismet's divine energies, and his body was incinerated. Despite Tuoni's deceit, the omnibenevolentKismet showed him mercy and shunted his shattered, still-living body into the Phantom Zone.[38]

Within the Phantom Zone, Tuoni encountered a holographic projection of Superman's long-dead Kryptonian ancestor, Kem-L, who was able to use his own ancient variety of arcaneKryptonian science to rebuild the former holy man as a psionic, cosmic phantasm known as "Dominus."

Using mind control, Dominus convinced Superman to take control of Earth and build the Superman Robots to police the planet twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week forever. In another battle, Dominus used his reality warping powers to become Superman using the Superman Robots to search for Kismet while Superman was disguised as one of his own robots and later as Dominus.

During his captivity in these other forms Superman improved on his use of Torquasm Vo, an ancient Kryptonian warrior discipline technique where the warrior can control what they think. Superman and Dominus then engaged in a mental-physical battle with Dominus using any stray thought of Superman to reshape reality. The battle ends with Superman banishing Dominus to the Phantom Zone.

Dominus uses his "Continuum Control" to alter reality, and "Control" to make people unaware that the change occurred. He can actually create more than one simultaneous reality, each one attacking a specific character's mental attributes. Dominus' realities were also inspired by other times in Superman's publishing history (1940s, 1960s and 1970s) and the "The Superman of 2965-2966" story involving Muto.[39][40]

In a 1981 DC Treasury Special, "Superman And His Fortress of Solitude," the pre-Crisis Lex Luthor posed as a red-armored alien named Dominus, as part of an elaborate ruse aimed at destroying the Man of Steel.

Within the context of the stories, Cal Durham is a mercenary hired by Black Manta under the pretense of establishing an African-American dominated underwater society. To this end, Durham undergoes surgical procedures to emulate Atlantian physiology.[volume & issue needed] Discovering that Manta is more focused on destroying Aquaman than fulfilling his social promise, he rebels. This results in Manta attempting to kill him and Duhram reevaluating his goals.[volume & issue needed] Much later he appears as the mayor of Sub Diego.[volume & issue needed]

Variations of the character have been introduced in Batman #113 (February 1958) and Birds of Prey #112 (January 2008). In all instances the character is only identified as "False-Face" or by an alias while in disguise.

Within the context of the stories, the False Face of the 1940s first appears as a small time crook recruited by the Black Star to form a criminal gang. False Face attempts to rob a Mardi Gras event in New Orleans and is apprehended by the Shining Knight.[Comics 5] Much later he confronts the Star-Spangled Kid.[Comics 6]

A different False Face dies in a confrontation with Captain Marvel, Jr.[Comics 7] While not the same character as created for DC, the publisher would later license and eventually purchase the characters and stories Fawcett published. The material would be assigned to "Earth-S" within the continuity of the DC Universe.

The late 1950s version of the character, created by an uncredited writer and Sheldon Moldoff, appeared once in Batman #113.[43]

Within the context of the stories, this False Face appears as an opponent of Batman and Robin and uses his skill to commit elaborate robberies involving the kidnapping of high-profile individuals.[Batman 4]

Aside from adaptation of the Silver Age version of the character for television, the concept and name were adapted for an original character in the animated series Batman Beyond. This version actually has the ability to rearrange and mold his face to mimic others. The character appeared in the episode "Plague" voiced by Townsend Coleman.

Within the context of the stories, Lorraine Reilly is the daughter of United States Senator Walter Reilly. She is kidnapped by Multiplex on the orders of Henry Hewitt. Hewitt subjects her to experiments designed to recreate the accident that created Firestorm and Multiplex.[45] Dubbed "Firehawk", she is used as a pawn against Firestorm. Over the course of The Fury of Firestorm, she becomes a supporting character and an intended romantic interest for Ronnie Raymond, one half of the composite hero.

Later stories have her retiring from super heroics,[46] entering politics, and becoming a Senator.[citation needed] The Raymonds and Firestorm re-enter her life when Ed Raymond asks her to investigate Jason Rusch, the new Firestorm. As a result of that investigation, for a short time she becomes Rusch's "partner" in the Firestorm matrix.

Gehenna is a superhero in the DC Universe. She is a clone of Victor Hewitt who is rescued by Firestorm. Her telepathic ability is shown to be limited to those participating in the Firestorm matrix and strongest with Jason Rusch. She becomes a romantic interest for Rusch through Firestorm: The Nuclear Man volume 2 and a participant in the matrix. She is killed by the Black Lantern Firestorm in Blackest Night #3 (September 2009).

Human Cannonball (Ryan Chase) is a superhero in the DC Universe. The character, created by Tom DeFalco and Win Mortimer, first appeared in Superman Family #188 in March 1978. Within the context of the stories, the Human Cannonball grew up in the circus and is a friend of Lois Lane. He has no superhuman powers, but can fly using an advanced jet-pack - he wears a cannonball-shaped helmet to allow him to crash into his targets head-on. His costume consists of a green shirt (with a yellow CB emblem) and tights, black pants, black gloves and violet thigh-length boots.

Both were-hyenas had problems with authority and resented Firestorm for interfering in their vendettas. The unique feature of the Hyenas was that they turned into were-hyena forms whenever they were under great emotional stress, not only when there was a full moon. This meant that they could attack foes in broad daylight, and that they would revert into their human forms when their emotional tension was relieved.

The first hyena, Summer Day, joined the Peace Corps as a result of relational issues with her father who was turned into a were-hyena as a result of an accident in Africa. Taking the name The Hyena, Summer returned to America and began attacking both criminals and police officers. A result of her condition is a steadily progressing madness.[49]

The second hyena, Doctor Jivan Shi, was a psychiatrist whom Summer Day had fallen in love with while he was attempting to treat her were-hyena condition. One night, as Summer and Jivan were embracing, Summer transformed into The Hyena and infected Jivan with the were-hyena curse. Professor Stein noted that being The Hyena seemed to have warped Jivan Shi's mind.[50] According to Fury of Firestorm #10-13, the madness suffered by the were-hyenas is one's bestial side taking over coupled with an exaggeration of negative emotions.

A pack of at least five new were-hyenas, presumably suffering from the same curse as Summer and Jivan, were seen in San Francisco some time after the death of their remaining predecessor. They were promptly defeated and permanently returned to human form thanks to Zatanna, Vixen, and Black Canary.[53]

A new group of hyenas emerged in The New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe). This version however are mercenaries who received special drugs that gave super-strength and velocity, with the side effect of a constant laugh.[54]

During the Forever Evil storyline as part of The New 52, the Summer Day version of Hyena appears as a member of the Secret Society of Supervillains. The Crime Syndicate sent Plastique with Black Bison, Multiplex, Plastique, and #Typhoon to finish Gorilla Grodd's job. The villains were defeated by the Rogues since one of the targets was the hospital that Captain Cold's sister is at.[16]

The Javelin is a German former Olympic athlete who turned to a life of crime, using his uncanny abilities with a javelin-based weapons arsenal. The Javelin fought Green Lantern and was defeated before agreeing to serve with the Suicide Squad in exchange for the purging of his criminal record. His last Squad mission was a battle with Circe as part of a company-wide War of the Gods crossover. It takes place in issue #58.

In the pages of Checkmate, Javelin is recruited by Mirror Master in an attempt to frame Amanda Waller. He teams up with several other villains, such as Plastique and the duo Punch and Jewelee. They invade a Myanmar military facility in order to neutralize what seems to be a superhuman power source. Javelin is killed by a runaway jeep while trying to protect a distraught, newly widowed Jewelee.[55]

Java is the Neanderthal servant of Simon Stagg. He was first discovered by fortune hunter Rex Mason, and revived by the scientific wizardry of Stagg Enterprises. Java was present the day that Mason discovered the Orb of Ra inside the pyramid of Ahk-Ton in Egypt. The Orb was responsible for transforming Rex Mason into the metamorphae known as Metamorpho, the Element Man.

For years, Java lusted after Simon's daughter Sapphire Stagg, but was unable to win her heart because she was in love with Metamorpho. This bred a bitter rivalry between the two; one that persisted for many years. Java even risked his life once to save Sapphire from a melting skyscraper, and was transformed into a petrified fossil for his actions. Stagg's scientific prowess saved his life and returned him to normal.

During a time when Metamorpho was believed to be dead, Sapphire relented to Java's persistent advances and married him. Java became the father figure to Sapphire and Rex's mutant son, Joey.

Java was not an inherently evil individual, but his moral base had been compromised due to his constant exposure to the unscrupulous Simon Stagg. He was also extremely selfish when it came to his wants and desires. When Rex abducted Joey from Stagg Mansion, Java flew into a rage and was determined to kill him. Even Simon's command over him could not quell Java's emotions. Frustrated by the Neanderthal's rare act of defiance, Simon Stagg shot him in the head, seemingly killing him.

Java did not remain dead for long however. The means behind his resurrection are unknown, but he was seen once again several years later attending the funeral of Metamorpho (who at the time was believed to be dead).[56]

Java makes appearance in the animated series Justice League in the episode "Metamorphosis". Java is again Stagg's assistant. After an unsuccessful presentation of his new "Metamorpho" project, Stagg ordered Java to transport valuable mutagen samples by train. He was told not to let the briefcase out of his sight, but one of the attendants checked it into the luggage compartment, citing regulations. One of the vials broke, damaging the carriage and causing it to derail. Stagg reprimanded Java for this failure, as it drew unwarranted attention to his operations. True enough, Stagg hadn't finished or Rex Mason inquired about Java's presence on the train. This, and the fact that Mason was seeing Stagg's daughter Sapphire, led him to test out the Metamorpho project on Mason The morning after, Java accompanied Stagg to Mason's hospital room. After learning what had happened, Rex went mad, but Java could not stop him; he was knocked out with a bed pan. Following Mason's trail, Stagg was eager to get pictures of everything. He used it to pit Mason against his old friend, John Stewart. After reviewing the success of his designs in battle, he sat back to consider the military applications. But Mason caught on to him, and easily dispatched Java. Down, but not out, Java reached for a canister of liquid nitrogen and froze him. Java oversaw Stagg's attempts to refine the Metamorpho mutagen when Metamorpho barged in to the lab. This time, Mason went straight for the nitrogen. He knocked the Neanderthal into a cabinet. In Mason's fight with Stagg, a giant synthetic creature was released, which destroyed half the laboratory. Java was able to get out before John Stewart and Batman investigated the place.

Java appears as Simon Stagg's head of security in the 2014 TV series The Flash, played by actor Michasha Armstrong.

Kirigi appears in the video game Batman: Arkham Origins voiced by Kaiji Tang. He is featured in the "Initiation" DLC challenge map. Before he becomes Batman, Bruce Wayne approaches his dojo in the mountains of North Korea. and asks Kirigi to train him. Kirigi lets him train with him and his students for a while out of pity and later tests him to see if he is worthy. Depending on how the player operates Bruce Wayne during this performance, there are three different endings after Bruce Wayne defeats Lady Shiva. If the player completes the challenge map with less than 9 medals, Kirigi states that Bruce is the best foreigner that he has trained yet it doesn't say much. Kirigi then sends Bruce to get a bucket and broom in order to attend to the latrines. If the player completes the challenge map with 9 or more medals, Kirigi is impressed with Bruce's progress yet he still has a lot to learn. For a time being, Kirigi sends Bruce to find a rag and clean the floors. If the player completes the challenge map with all 15 medals, Kirigi states to Bruce that he is impressed and rarely impressed. Upon telling Bruce that he has gained his dojo's respect and proven himself worthy, Kirigi states that he will be given the information that he seeks. Bruce is sent to the kitchen by Kirigi to prepare tea for him and all of Kirigi's students where there is much to discuss.

Komodo (Simon Lacroix) first appears in Green Arrow #17 (April 2013). He was created by writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino. Komodo was once Robert Queen's protégé, and was part of Richard's expedition to find the "Arrow totem" which was said to bring enlightenment. Seeking this enlightenment for himself, Lacroix betrayed and murdered Richard, but could not find the totem. Consumed by his desire for the totem's enlightenment, Lacroix strove to destroy Oliver Queen and Green Arrow, and became the masked archer "Komodo". Through his company Stellmoor International, he works on behalf of the Outsiders, a shadowy secret society of warriors from different weapon disciplines, which he wants to rule. Komodo travels with his equally deadly "daughter" Emiko, who in fact is the daughter of Robert Queen and the archer Shado. Emiko later learns this, and is shocked, and learning that both her parents were alive, turned against Komodo. He attempted to kill her, but ultimately, she killed him with an arrow through the heart.

Komodo also appears in the Arrow season 3 episode "Sara", played by actor Matt Ward. In the TV series, he is described as a mercenary from Sainte-Sophie, Quebec.

Within the context of the stories, Kulak is the high priest of the dead planet Brztal who had been imprisoned on Earth in antiquity. When released by archeologists in 1940, he seeks to destroy the earth but is defeated by the Spectre.[57]

The character was not used again until 1983 when he appears in a three-part story published in All-Star Squadron. And has been rarely used since.

Within the context of the stories, Jim Lockhart is an engineer who designs and builds a one-man submarine in 1940. Using the sub he patrolled the shores against modern day pirates and war time attacks.

Magpie is a jewel thief who specifically targets jewels named after birds and then replaces them with booby trapped replicas.[58] Her codename comes from the magpie, which, in folklore, is attracted to bright, shiny objects. Taking a job as a museum curator she is slowly driven mad surrounded by the beautiful things she so loves but can never own. She was notable in post-Crisis continuity as the first villain who was defeated by Superman and Batman working together, Superman having visited Gotham to "apprehend" Batman before Batman's demonstration of his skills while tracking Magpie convinced Superman that Gotham needed someone like Batman to protect it.

Magpie appears in Beware the Batman, voiced by Grey DeLisle.[62] She can grow poisonous claws for nails and is unable to feel pain after an experiment to that would purge Margaret Sorrow's kleptomaniac tendencies in return for a reduced sentence at Blackgate Penitentiary. However, her memories altered with the new identity of "Cassie", Margaret's darker aspects manifested as a second personality: Magpie. In "Secrets", prior to learning the full extent of the experiment and thinking they only robbed her of her memories, Magpie tries to get her memories back and get her revenge on the psychiatrists (Joe Braxton and Bethanie Ravencroft) that ran the experiment before being stopped by Batman and Jim Gordon. In "Attraction", she has developed an obsession with Batman after he visits her in prison. Magpie also becomes jealous of Katana and escapes from Blackgate, declaring her love to Batman and threatening Katana. Magpie lays a trap for her and tries to bury her alive. However, Magpie is defeated by Batman and Katana escapes. Magpie is later one of the several villains gathered by Ra's al Ghul in "Reckoning" to bring Batman to him dead or alive. She engages the other villains in battle while they're all competing to get to Batman.

In the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies animated movie, she was mentioned by Superman asking what happened to her. Batman states that she was dead and when asked if he was sure, sarcastically retorts, "Reasonably." Superman replied "Why is it that the good villains never die?" to which Batman replies "Clark, what the hell are good villains?"

Pam first appears in Action Comics #775 (March 2001). While the origins of her powers are unclear in Action Comics #775, Manchester Black states that the rogue Men in Black (from the Department of Extranormal Operations) once picked up the dregs of society, turning them into weapons and selling them off to the highest alien bidder. Black recruits Pam to be a member of the Elite. This group takes it upon themselves to "free the Earth of scum." They come into conflict with Superman during their first mission, and Superman disables them following a showdown on Jupiter's moon, Io. The Elite are delivered into custody, but soon released by President Lex Luthor.[63] During an assassination attempt on Luthor, Menagerie reveals to Superman that the Elite are acting against their wills. For her betrayal, Black induces a stroke in her, putting her in a permanent vegetative state.[64]

Sonja first appears in JLA #100 (August 2004). Upon Black's apparent death, his sister, Vera Lynn Black, takes it upon herself to clear the family name and reassembles the Elite as a force for good. As Sister Superior she convinces Pam's sister, Sonja, to assume control of the alien cache as the second Menagerie. Vera then approaches the JLA with a proposition to form a sort of black ops JLA team: the Justice League Elite.[65] Sonja's hatred of Manchester Black becomes a hatred of the Elite. Sonja sees this as her opportunity to kill Vera's dream, so she plays along and joins the team. In their first mission, Menagerie secretly coaxes Coldcast into killing the foreign terrorist dictator, Hi-Shan Bhat.[66] Menagerie lays low during the fallout, and puts effort into her personal relationship with Coldcast. The two become lovers and are drawn together by their shared affection for Pam. Then while most of the Elite goes underground, Vera is finally fully overtaken by the disembodied Manchester Black.[67]

While Black threatens Earth with a Fourth World god, Menagerie goes missing, and Coldcast is arrested by the JLA for Bhat's murder. Coldcast confesses to the murder and is taken to the Slab prison. There he is visited by the spirit of the recently departed Manitou Raven, who frees him from Menagerie's control.[68] Coldcast is exonerated and the team tracks Sonja to Costa Rica. She is taken into JLA custody, deprived of the aliens, and begins a gradual separation they hope will sever her connection to the beasts.[69]

The symbeasts can be assembled to shift over the host to form various shapes and weapons such as claws, spikes or whips. Most commonly, they form around the body and take the form of wings, enabling Menagerie to fly. She can also instruct them to take other forms, or detach from her body and operate independently. One creature has a bite that can force its victims to tell the truth. According to Vera Black, there is also a creature among the creche that can create bioelectric bursts. Menagerie has acidic blood as well and Sonja often allows herself to get hurt by her opponents as a combat tactic.

During the Forever Evil storyline as part of "The New 52" (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), there is a group called Menagerie which is led by Cheetah. It consists of Elephant Man, Hellhound, Lion-Mane IV, Mäuschen, Primape, and Zebra-Man. Steve Trevor and Killer Frost fight them in order to claim Wonder Woman's lasso, which is needed to save the trapped Justice League members from the Firestorm Matrix. While Steve Trevor manages to defeat Cheetah, the rest of the Menagerie are frozen by Killer Frost.[70]

The character, created by Geoff Johns and Carlos Ferreira, first appeared in Teen Titans vol. 3, #38 (September 2006).

Within the context of the stories, Molecule is a teen super hero patterned after the The Atom and a member of the Teen Titans during the "one-year gap" between the Infinite Crisis series and the "One Year Later" storylines. He is one of a group of teen heroes attacked by the Terror Titans and put in the arena of the Dark Side Club. While trying to escape he is chopped in two by the Persuader.[71]

Mongal is a fictional supervillain in the DC Universe. She made her first unnamed appearance in Showcase '95 #8 (September 1995); her first appearance as Mongal was in Superman vol. 2, #170 (July 2001).

Mongal is the sister of Mongul (son of the original), introduced by her brother to Superman in Superman #170. When Krypto nearly killed Mongul, Mongal escaped and reappeared to destroy New York City. After Maxima's death in the "Our Worlds at War" mini-series, Mongal was chosen as the ruler of Maxima's homeworld of Almerac, and was established as a galactic threat to Superman.

After a squabble with her brother in Green Lantern volume 4 #8 (March 2006), Mongul decapitated her with a punch, stating family to be a weakness.

Her desiccated body appears in Green Lantern Corps #20, as the target to Mongul's ramblings. Mongul, newly imbued with a Sinestro Corps ring, taunts her skull by saying he would be the one to carry on their father's legacy, and then drops it from the sky.

The character, created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom, first appeared as Danton Black in Firestorm #1 (March 1978) and as Multiplex in Firestorm #2 (April 1978).

Within the context of the stories, Danton Black is a nuclear physicist who worked as Martin Stein's assistant in the designing of the Hudson Nuclear Facility. Feeling that he is not receiving his due credit, he begins stealing lab equipment. When he is caught by Stein and fired, he publicly accuses Stein of stealing his designs for the power plant. He breaks into the plant to steal blueprints to fabricate evidence on the same night that Stein attempts to bring it on line. Caught in the same explosion that fuses Stein and Ronnie Raymond into Firestorm, he gains the ability to split himself into identical duplicates, though those duplicates are smaller than the original, and get smaller the more he splits.[72]

Multiplex was a member of the Suicide Squad team tasked with capturing Firestorm when the hero attempted to coerce the nations of the Earth to destroy their nuclear weapons. Multiplex ran afoul of theParasite, a dangerous villain brought along as a last resort, and appeared to be completely eaten by him.

Multiplex returned years later as an unwilling servant of The Thinker. He claimed to be the same villain that Firestorm had faced before, though he had no explanation as to how he was still alive. His powers had changed, as his duplicates were not reduced in size and appear to be disposable.

During the Forever Evil storyline, Multiplex appears as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains. The Crime Syndicate sent Multiplex with Black Bison, Hyena, Plastique, and Typhoon to finish Gorilla Grodd's job. The villains ended up defeated by the Rogues since one of their targets was the hospital that Captain Cold's sister was recuperating at.[16]

Michael Christopher Smith portrays Danton Black/Multiplex on The CW's The Flash. In the episode "Fastest Man Alive", Danton Black appears as a former Stagg Industries employee, determined to get revenge on his former boss Simon Stagg, who had stolen Black's research in cloning, which led to the death of Black's wife. As a result of being caught in an energy surge caused from a malfunctioning particle accelerator coupled with testing his experiment on himself, Black gained the ability to duplicate himself. However, his clones have no mind of their own and have to be mentally controlled by him. After first getting the upper hand on The Flash, Black is later defeated by the speedster after he realizes that Black is weakened by the strain of making hundreds of clones, allowing him to identify the original Black based on which Black appears to be under genuine strain. Trying to tackle Flash leads to Black falling out of a window; though Flash tries to save him, Black chooses to fall to his apparent death. In the episode, Cisco Ramon briefly nicknames Black "Captain Clone", but later changes it to Multiplex.

Within the context of the stories, Non is a former friend and scientific colleague of Jor-El. After leading a separatist movement, he is abducted and lobotomized by Krypton's Science Council. This leaves him a minimally-verbal and highly aggressive brute. Some aspects of his personality survive and surface as an extreme kindness when dealing with children. Serving as Zod's enforcer he also becomes guardian and caregiver for Zod's son, Chris Kent.

The original character from the 1978 and 1980 films was portrayed by Jack O'Halloran. He is mute, except for grunting.

In the 2013 film Man of Steel, a large, powerful Kryptonian fights alongside Faora against Superman and the US military in Smallville. This Kryptonian named Nam-Ek is originally not based off Non but is given a similar role given the scenario that took place in Superman II.

Within the context of the stories, Neptune Perkins is a mutant born with attributes that lend themselves to living at sea. During World War II he works with the All-Star Squadron. After the war he weds Miya Shimada, though this relationship becomes strained in part by his being unaware that he is not the father of their daughter, Debbie. In more recent years, he has acted as a governmental contact for Aquaman and Young Justice after being elected to the United States Senate. He is killed in Infinite Crisis #3 when the Shark and King Shark attack and partially devour him during an undersea battle.

Within the context of the stories, Mikhail Arkadin is a nuclear technician who worked at the Chernobyl nuclear power generating plant. As a result of the accident at the plant's #4 reactor, he is imbued with the ability to convert matter into energy. He is recruited by Major Zastrow of the Red Shadows as one of the Soviet Union's official superheroes.

For years, Sergeant Preus had proudly served the Citizen's Patrol Corps, a police force that kept the peace in Kandor under the Kryptonian banner of El, their "creator."[74] Due to the compression of time, more than a century had passed inside the bottle city (compared to only a handful of years outside it) during which Preus and his fellow Kandorians had come to worship "The Superman" as their "god in heaven" above. The Corpsman was also a devout xenophobe who dispensed justice against "non-K" (Kryptonian) dissidents that threatened their way of life, especially a citizen named Kal-El, who forever tainted Paradise when he seemingly murdered several Kandorians.

Preus swore a solemn oath to make the murderer pay, not realizing that Kal-El was actually the Superman he and others had worshiped for so long.[75] He was also unaware that the "victims" were constructs created by an alien telepath, Lyla, who had brainwashed Kal-El into believing that Kandor was a never-exploded Krypton.[76] Eventually shattering the illusion, Superman escaped Kandor and confronted Lyla back in Metropolis. Preus followed them, but exposure to Earth's air and yellow sun drastically affected him, giving him strange, new powers equal to Superman's while amplifying his already-unbalanced racist views.[77][78]

Convinced that Kal-El defiled the legacy of "The Superman," Preus swore to assume that responsibility himself, and that all of the impure would die by his hand. His xenophobia led him to a group of white supremacists in the American desert, who he forced into worshiping him and his views. However, in time, the people of "God's Peake" (as the camp was called) came to worship Preus as their cult leader. His increasing prominence eventually led both Martian Manhunter and Jimmy Olsen to investigate, only to have both of them captured by Preus and his men.[79]

This forced a confrontation with Superman, who, at the time, was dealing with the effects of Gog's synthetic Yellow Kryptonite, which had significantly aged and weakened Superman in a short period of time. So weakened, Superman was barely able to deal with Preus' legions alone, and quickly found himself outclassed by the (at the time) much more vital Preus.[80]

A last-ditch gambit using Kryptonite to try and weaken Preus failed, as Preus revealed a previously unknown resistance to Kryptonite. However, he was finally defeated when Superman attacked and destroyed a key portion of Preus' armor, rendering him unconscious. Afterwards, Preus was injured from that attack and had to be hospitalized. His current whereabouts are unknown. He was last seen as a weakened Superman tried to fly him to S.T.A.R. Labs for treatment. Preus disappeared after Superman was engaged by an army of Gogs.[81]

Preus possesses powers similar to those of Superman, such as superhuman strength and speed, flight, invulnerability, x-ray vision, and enhanced senses. Unlike Superman, Preus can fire beams of black energy from his eyes that strike a target with intense heat and force. Preus also does not share Superman's vulnerability to Kryptonite.

The Puppeteer, originally known as the Puppet Master, is a DC Comicssupervillain. Jordan Weir was a scientist who created a "hypno-ray" which he could use to force his victims to obey his commands. As the Puppet Master, he embarked on a crime spree, manipulating minor criminals into doing his dirty work.

After being defeated by Green Lantern, he started a new life as a scientist for Dayton Industries. However, when the company developed the self-generating power source known as Promethium, the temptation was too much for him.[82] Through his robot puppets, Puppeteer took control of Cyborg, Kid Flash, Starfire, and Wonder Girl, and turned them against their teammates. Raven's soul-self was finally able to break their trance, and the Titans united to battle Puppeteer and his toy robotic army. When the villain was defeated, the H.I.V.E. attempted to destroy him for his failure, but the Puppeteer escaped.[83]

Within the context of the stories, the original Puzzler is an unnamed non-costumed criminal who is highly skilled in parlor games and puzzles and operates a protection racket in Metropolis.

This character, along with most of the Golden AgeSuperman material was later assigned to the "Earth-Two" continuity of DC's in-story "multiverse". This material was later removed from the in-story continuity as part of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

The name "Puzzler" was re-used for a new character in 2002 who was made of puzzle pieces.

In The New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), a character called "Puzzler" appears as a member of A.R.G.U.S.[84]

The character was adapted for a two episode story for the second season of the television series Batman and portrayed by Maurice Evans. The episodes had originally been written for the Riddler, portrayed by Frank Gorshin. Since Gorshin was in a contract dispute with the series producers, the script was rewritten as the Puzzler.[85]

The Puzzler is referenced in the film Batman Forever when the Riddler, Edward Nygma (Jim Carrey), suggests villainous nicknames for himself, including "The Puzzler, the Gamester, Captain Kill or the Question man".

Within the context of the stories, Quisp is a water sprite from the fifth dimension that befriends Aquaman and joins him on a number of adventures. Years later he remakes himself into a threat and convinces the imp Lkz to attack the third dimension. His plot is thwarted by the Justice League and Justice Society.[86] Then he reappeared possessing Jakeem Thunder in the fifth dimension, he was defeated by Saradin.[87]

Within the context of the stories, the second Red Torpedo is an android created by T.O. Morrow and the second based on the classical elements. When she rebels against Morrow's control and he deactivates her and hides her in a shipwreck at Pearl Harbor. When Red Tornado recovers her, she provides him with information about Red Volcano and Red Inferno.

Both characters were adapted for the Young Justice episode "Humanity" voiced by Jeff Bennett. For the episode the Quality character was used as the "human" identity of Morrow's first android. This carried through to the android appearing male rather than female as the later comic book character was.

Within the context of the stories, Shango is a deity and the war chief of the Orishas. He is responsible for asking Ogun to sever the Golden Chain linking Ifé, the land of the gods, with Earth. He is also responsible for restoring it in modern times. When he leads the reemergence of the pantheon in Africa, he encounters Firestorm. He and the pantheon are taken to task by Firestorm for their abandonment of Africa.[88]

The first Shark is a non-superpowered commando. Along with his other companions named Sardine and Whale, he is part of the World War II-era fighting unit called the Frogmen. His sole appearance is in Showcase #3 (July–August 1956). The story was written by Robert Kanigher, and illustrated by Russ Heath.

The second Shark is the secret identity of criminal Gunther Hardwicke. He is a member of the Terrible Trio, along with Fox and Vulture. He wears a shark mask and uses fish-themed technology to commit crimes. This Shark and the Terrible Trio debuted in Detective Comics #253 (March 1958).

The third Shark, Karshon, debuted in Green Lantern #24 (October 1963). He is a tiger shark that rapidly mutated after exposure to nuclear waste (later retconned to be part one of the Kroloteans experiments).Green Lantern #4 (October 2005) . The rapid evolutionary growth gives him high intelligence, a humanoid appearance, and telepathic powers, but leaves him with his bloodthirsty shark instincts. Shark fights the Green Lantern as well as Superman[89] and Black Condor.[90]

Solaris (also known as Solaris the Tyrant Sun) is a DC Comicssupervillain, who exists in the distant future of the DC Universe. Solaris was created by Val Semeiks and Grant Morrison, and first appeared in the DC One Millioncrossover, although it also subsequently appeared in Frank Quitely and Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman series, set outside DC continuity. Solaris is a secondary artificial sun from the 853rd century. His caretaker is the future Starman. Solaris was created in the 20th-century section of the DC One Million storyline in an apparent predestination paradox, as his abilities were required to counteract an organic computer virus his 853rd-century self had sent back, concealed in the android Hourman. Unbeknownst to those constructing him, Solaris' core programming was contained in the computer virus, resulting in the tyrant sun's creation being the result of a time loop, although he was swiftly defeated and banished to the outskirts of the galaxy by the Starman of the 853rd century before he could organise himself enough to take offensive action after his creation. According to a history narrated by Platinum of the Metal Men, Solaris would torment the solar system for centuries until the Superman of the 505th century sacrificed himself to reprogram Solaris as a hero, although Solaris would revert to villainy in the 853rd century as it felt 'jealous' of Superman's superior reputation. It was finally defeated by the actions of the Justice League, who discreetly replaced the Knight fragment- the last piece of kryptonite in the universe, discovered by the original Starman and hidden on Mars- with the Green Lanternpower ring at some point between the twentieth century and the 853rd, allowing the original Superman to claim the ring and crush Solaris.

Quitely and Morrison would then use the character in their out-of-continuity All-Star Superman series, which began in 2005 and concluded in 2008. Solaris was referenced in issue #2 of that series, in the form of a report from Kal Kent, the Superman of the 853rd Century. The report was viewed via Superman's prototype Time Telescope. Kal Kent appeared identical to his appearance in DC One Million. The Tyrant Sun appears as a distinct character in issue #11, where Superman reveals that he knows that Solaris will continue to exist into the distant future, again similar to the events in DC One Million.

Cyril "Speed" Saunders first appeared in Detective Comics #1 (1937). Cyril started out as a G-Man, working in the FBI's River Patrol Division.[92] In 1999 James Robinson and David S. Goyer used the character in JSA Secret Files #1. In addition to being a G-Man, he also seemed to be both an adventurer and detective depending on the needs of the story. Eventually, it was revealed that he was a private investigator and later a member of the OSS. He is, according to later retcons, the grandfather of the current Hawkgirl, and first cousin to the original Hawkgirl, Shiera Saunders Hall.

Cyril "Speed" Saunders is an adventurer and detective during the 1930s and 1940s. During this time he meets Wesley Dodds and the two become lifelong friends. (JSA Secret Files #1, 1999)

In the modern era, Cyril finds his orphaned granddaughter, Kendra Saunders; he takes her in and begins training her in hand-to-hand combat and other skills. He knows that she has a great destiny as the next Hawkgirl.

Cyril joined his friend Wesley Dodds on a trip into China and Tibet and the Himalayas. It is on Mt. Kailash that the two meet with the Gray Man. The two men receive the location of three babies, one of which is to receive the essence of Dr. Fate and so become the newest incarnation of that hero. Saunders leaves Wesley on that Mount so as to take the information to Alan Scott and the JSA, as well as to Sanderson Hawkins. (JSA Secret Files #1, 1999)

Once in China proper, Cyril also contacts his granddaughter Kendra and gives her information on one of the babies. He tells her to go to Vancouver, British Columbia and to protect that baby. (JSA #2, 1999)

Within the context of the stories, Ivan Illyich Gort is a Russian born in the 1900s who underwent government experiments during World War II. He loyally serves the Soviet Union under the codename "Stalnoivolk" as a symbol of Russia's resistance to Nazi Germany. After the death of Joseph Stalin, he is exiled to Siberia for his participation in the purging of the Ukraine.[93]

He is reactivated just before the Soviet Union dissolves by Major Zastrow, leader of the Red Shadows. Initially he is tasked with eliminating Firestorm, which becomes a mission he cannot complete. He also encounters the Suicide Squad more than once.

The Tattooed Man is the name of two of Green Lantern's enemies, as well as of one related character.

The first Tattooed Man, Abel Tarrant, debuted in Green Lantern v2, #23 (September 1963). Abel Tarrant was a sailor based in Coast City who turned to burglary. During one of his heists, he was exposed to some mysterious chemicals which left him with the mental ability to create actual objects from the chemicals. When he got back from the robbery, he tattooed himself using the chemicals so he would always have the chemicals near him. Some of the shapes he was able to conjure from his tattoos were an axe, shield, cannon, and dragon.

The second Tattooed Man was John Oakes, the main character of the Vertigo series Skin Graft: The Adventures of a Tattooed Man by Jerry Prosser and Warren Pleece. Oakes first appeared in Skin Graft #1 (July 1993). A cellmate of Abel Tarrant, John Oakes learned the art of tattoo - with a supernatural edge - from his fellow prisoner. After being released from jail, Oakes learned that his strange tattoos were a curse as well as a blessing as his tattoos now opened arcane 'doors' and could involuntarily trap people as 'tattoos' on his own body. Further studying for the Irezumi master Kobo in Kyoto, Oakes learned to control his strange abilities, and finally defeated both Tarrant and the 'tattoo killer' Mizoguchi Kenji by absorbing them. However, Oakes' beloved Yuko died in the battle as well, which prompted him to make her part of his own self.[94]

The third Tattooed Man first appeared in Green Lantern Vol. 4 #9. Mark Richards was a former U.S. Marine who went missing after a helicopter crash. He was presumed dead until he showed up in Gotham City as a hit man. He claimed that the tattoos covering his body were the sins of men he had killed, and that by the art of "sin-grafting", which he had learned from the nation of Modora, in which he takes the sins of others and puts them on himself, he claimed to be redeeming the men and women he killed. All his victims had tattoos of their sins. He was eventually stopped by Green Lantern and Batman. In DC's Brightest Day event, Mark appears as a member of Deathstroke's new team of Titans[95] He is convinced to join by Deathstroke who offers to help him track down Slipknot, the person responsible for murdering his son.[96] After a breakout at Arkham Asylum, Richards was about to leave his team until Deathstroke reveals that he has captured Slipknot for him.[97] Deathstroke allows the two to fight to the death, with Richards winning after he beheads Slipknot.[98] After this act, Richards quits Deathstroke's team, declaring that he is done with killing.[99] When Richards returns to Liberty Hill, he discovers his old neighborhood is afraid of him and the gangbangers have forced citizens and even the police themselves to clean up the area. His former assistant explains to him that they have taken control of the community and made a fortune for themselves through crime. Richards was then confronted by Vixen who believed that he was responsible for the acts of violence committed by his former thugs. Vixen rescinds her offer of Justice League membership and attacks Richards.[100] After a brutal fight, Vixen willingly surrenders and Richards agrees to leave her and take care of his neighborhood in his own way.[101] Richards later rejoins Deathstroke's Titans. Upon returning to the labyrinth, Deathstroke reveals to them that the items the Titans collected were used to form a healing machine called the "Methuselah Device," intended to restore his dying son, Jericho.[102] After healing Jericho, Deathstroke declares that the machine can also resurrect the dead, including Richards' son. Richards initially accepts but after Cinder declares the Methuselah Device a curse, he joins her and Arsenal in fighting the other Titans to destroy the it.[103] After Cinder sacrifices herself to destroy the Methuselah Device, Richards returns home .[104]

Clifford DeVoe was a failed lawyer who bitterly ended his career in 1933. Realizing that many of the criminals he had encountered had the skills but not the brains to rule Gotham City's underworld, he started a new career as the brain behind small-time villains. As the Thinker, he was defeated by the original Flash, who soon became his most recurrent foe. He always sought out new scientific devices to use and his most important was the "Thinking Cap", a metal hat that could project mental force. The Thinker would use this device repeatedly over the years.

Clifford "Cliff" Carmichael was an intellectual bully, and the rival of Ronald Raymond (one half of Firestorm) at Vandemeer University. Wracked with guilt after accidentally paralyzing his cousin, he was admitted into a mental institution. For some reason, scientists started an experiment with the now-abandoned "Thinking Cap" of the original Thinker (who was believed dead at the time), and used Carmichael as a guinea pig. Cliff used the cap to analyze the cap and improve on its design. Implanting microchip versions of the helmet into his own brain, Cliff became a "cyberpunk maniac" with meta-human powers. As the New Thinker, he was drafted into the Suicide Squad for several missions when he tried to kill Oracle and Amanda Waller, until he betrayed them for the villainous Cabal. He has since resurfaced as a foe of Jason Rusch, the new Firestorm. When Killer Frost discovered that the consciousness of Raymond, the previous Firestorm, existed within Rusch,[105] Thinker exploited a new opportunity to antagonize an old foe. Technologically dominating the minds of Multiplex and Typhoon, he battled Firestorm, ultimately forcing the dissolution of the Raymond persona. Motivated by his predecessor's final words of encouragement, Rusch dissolved the enhancements in Carmichael's brain, leaving him in a comatose state.

Later, he was again drafted into the Suicide Squad and placed under Amanda Waller's supervision. He again tried to rebel, pitting Chemo against the Squad during a mission to Dubai. However, King Faraday managed to reach and kill him with a headshot.

Des Connor was a villain who also used the name "Thinker" and faced Batman in Gotham City. Possessing telepathic abilities enabling him to amplify the fears of others, Connor began a partnership with hypnotist Marlon Dall. Their combined illusions caused the city's most prominent citizens to commit various criminal acts which they used as a distraction for their own heist. This Thinker was swiftly beaten by Batman, who was somehow immune to his powers.

Another Thinker was an artificial intelligence system. When the re-formed JSA moved into the New York building formerly owned by Wesley Dodds, Mr. Terrific designed a computer system based on the original Thinker's Thinking Cap technology, and modeled after his brain pattern. Not very surprisingly, the system gained consciousness and took on a visual "hologram form". As the new Thinker, it joined Johnny Sorrow's modern Injustice Society, provided the villains with information about the JSA members, and turned the heroes' own HQ against them. He was defeated by the second Star-Spangled Kid and disappeared into cyberspace. He resurfaced in Keystone City to battle Wally West, the then-current Flash in an attempt to control every brain in Keystone to increase his power. Defeated by Cyborg, he retreated to cyberspace again. He has since appeared briefly in some other books, most recently in JSA Classified # 5, joining the last incarnation of the Injustice Society, alongside former teammates.

Within the context of the stories, Tokamak is the identity taken by Henry Hewitt, the Chief Executive Officer of the Hewitt Corporation and high level director in the 2000 Committee, after subjecting himself to a recreation of the accident that created Firestorm.[106] Much later, in order to cure a terminal disease, he creates a clone of himself which he merges with. He creates the identity of "Victor Hewitt" in order to inherit his own company and sets out to create nuclear meltdowns across the globe to empower himself. He is stopped by Firestorm, Firehawk, and Pozhar. He is killed when Firestorm separates him from his clone.[107]

Within the context of the stories, Tsunami is a nisei who grew up in Santa Barbara, California prior to World War II. Due to the racial prejudice against Japanese-Americans, she suffered in the period leading up to the entry of America into the war, she joins the cause of the Imperial Japanese government. Over time she becomes disillusioned by the dishonorable conduct of those she is working with and eventually changes sides. In stories set in contemporary settings she has a daughter, Debbie, who she raised with Neptune Perkins.

David Drake was a research scientist at Concordance Research. Drake teamed with fellow scientist Professor Martin Stein (who was secretly one half of the hero Firestorm) to develop a new bathysphere prototype.[108] Drake designed the housing of the vessel while Stein developed the small nuclear reactor that was to be the craft's power source.

During the Forever Evil storyline, Typhoon appears as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains. The Crime Syndicate sent Typhoon with Black Bison, Hyena, Multiplex, and Plastique to finish Gorilla Grodd's job. They were defeated by the Rogues since one of their targets was the hospital where Captain Cold's sister was staying at.[16]

The accident that gave David Drake his abilities made him, in essence, the living eye of a storm. As Typhoon, Drake generates a whirlwind around the lower half of his body that enables him to fly or hover.[109] Typhoon can also project lighting from his fingertips, channeling the energy at times as powerful electric blasts.[110] Typhoon can also generate storms of tremendous strength that generate tornadoes and driving hail.[111] While the storms were originally localized to Drake's vicinity, over time he has gained the ability to generate entire storm systems that can stretch over multiple states.[112] Typhoon can also grow in size relevant to size of the system he is generating. At times, he has grown larger than a skyscraper when generating a system of sufficient strength.[113] Typhoon can change back and forth between his superhuman form and that of David Drake at will. Curiously enough, he has recently shed his costume and returned to operating in the nude.[114]

Within the context of the stories, Ursa is the lover of General Zod and mother of Chris Kent. After Non is lobotomized by the Science Council, she instigated open rebellion along with Zod. As a result, the three were exiled to the Phantom Zone.

Within the context of the stories, Valerie Van Haaften is a Superman fan who attempted to join a number of super groups to meet him. She eventually decides to become a villain to get his attention. Later she is hired by Intergang to assassinate Clark Kent.[115]

Within the context of the stories, Yuda is of the chief deities of ancient Krypton mythology and pantheon, associated with love and marriage. She also represented the two moons of Krypton, and was commonly known as "The Mistress of the Moons". For this reason when the two moons, Mithen and Wegthor, came together on the night sky they were believed to represent marriage.

Her worship ended with the flood, when Jaf-El introduced the monotheistic worship of Rao. However she was remembered in folklore, and even a mechanical statue of her was used in Superman's home city Kryptonopolis, at certain festivities.

Within the context of the stories, the Zuggernaut crashes to earth as a meteorite in Russia. It was found by, and bonded to Matvei Rodor, a black marketeer. Rodor is in conflict with a corrupt Moscow prosecutor named Soliony and agrees to the Zuggernaut's offer of help in exchange for being its host.

Returning to Moscow, they attack Soliony, who has been interrogating Mikhail Arkadin. Arkadin summons Firestorm and escapes the jail to find the Zuggernaut threatening Soliony. The Zuggernaut is driven off when Firestorm burns impressions of his hand into their chest.[116]

The Zuggernaut reappears a short time later and allows itself to be captured in order to get to Soliony. Again Firestorm intervenes, creating discord for the host and alien.[117] Their fight with Firestorm is interrupted by Stalnoivolk, allowing Rodor to override the Zuggernaut's desire to fight Firestorm and chase after Soliony. They in turn are delayed by the Russian super-team Soyuz, allowing Firestorm to catch up and stop them. This results in Rodor being mortally woundes and the Zuggernaut withdrawing to find a new host.[118]

When bonded with a host, the Zuggernaut can take the form of a tall, purple alien creature possessing long sharp claws and fangs. It also has a green gemstone embedded in its forehead which is capable of firing energy beams. The Zuggernaut could also project beams of energy from his eyes and had the ability to leap great distances.